Clamp structure

ABSTRACT

A one-piece preformed wire or rod is employed to hold component assembly parts in alignment and clamps the parts firmly into an assembled unit, the clamp being readily releasably engageable for quick disassembly of the parts. The preformed wire or rod clamp may also be employed to assemble pipes into an array or network in one embodiment of the invention which also includes a saddle structure to aid in positively locating and aligning the pipes.

United States Patent Haines I Apr. 8, 1975 [54] CLAMP STRUCTURE FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [76] Inventor: Bernard M. Haines, PO. Box 914.107935 2H9, Norway 403/400 Glenwood Springs. Colo. 8160! 22 Filed; Och 21973 Primary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder Appl. No: 410,243

Almrney, Agent. or FirmHill. Gross. Simpson. Van Santen. Stcadman.Chiara & Simpson [57 ABSTRACT A one-piece preformed wire or rod isemployed to hold component assembly parts in alignment and clamps theparts firmly into an assembled unit. the clamp being readily releasablyengageable for quick disassembly of the parts. The preformed wire or rodclamp may also be employed to assemble pipes into an array or network inone embodiment of the invention which also includes a saddle structureto aid in posi tively locating and aligning the pipes.

23 Claims. 6 Drawing Figures CLAMP STRUCTURE DESCRIPTION This inventionrelates to clamp structures and is particularly concerned with clampstructures for aligning and clamping parts of an assembly firmlytogether in releasable relationship for a quick disconnect function toprovide ease of disassembly of the parts.

It is the usual practice to assemble parts by means of riveting and spotwelding. and by means of bolts. nuts and washers or the like. The lattertype of connection is predominantly employed in all manufacturedassemblies which are capable of being serviced. for example. in productssuch as electric motors and centrifugal pumps, or wherever a capabilityfor disassembly is desired. Nearly every major appliance. as well asmany minor ones. has components which can be disassembled or detachedfor repair or replacement.

Most major appliances, such as washers. dryers. large models ofhumidifiers and air conditioners. etc.. in addition to items such asreplacement motors for vehicles. are usually bolted to a wooden framefor shipping. Here. disassembly. as well as assembly. and the laborinvolved in applying and removing standard bolt structures. is quiteevident. In addition to the cost of these fixation devices. the timeinvolved in applying and removing them during crating and installationadds substantially to the overhead of the manufacturer and t theoverhead of the service company.

lt is therefore highly desirable to have and a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a simple clamp structure which may beutilized to align and clamp parts firmly in place with the capability ofquick release for disassembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp structure having asimple configuration and which therefore requires extremely simplefabrication procedures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp assembly of simplestructure which obviates the necessity for stocking bolts. nuts andwashers or the like for applications where Such a clamp would bedesirable and further obviates the necessity for stocking the clampitself in that the structure of the clamp lends itself to in-houseproduction. An attendant object in this respect is to provide a clampstructure which may be easily fabricated on location in extraterrestrialapplications.

Inasmuch as a clamp fulfills the function most often assigned to a bolt.washer and nut, it is a further object of the invention to provide aclamp structure having the following unique combination of features:lower parts cost than the bolt. washer and nut; less labor timerequirement for assembly or disassembly of parts; utilization (assemblyand disassembly) without tools; extremely good vibration-proofcharacteristics; economically competitive with other assembly techniquessuch as riveting and spotwelding in which disassembly is impractical;and of simple structure which is readily adapted to on-the-spotfabrication.

The foregoing objectives are realized, according to the invention.through the provision of a single formed wire or rod having one partwhich comprises a straight portion of sufficient length to pin the partsto be assembled into the desired position and another part whichcomprises a pair of L-shaped portions aligned with one another and heldin parallel planes by an intermediate connecting straight portion ofsufficient length to as' sure a friction fit when pressed onto thelayers of material to be joined. One end of one L-shaped portion isjoined to the above-mentioned straight portion which serves as analignment pin so that the pin is at right angles to the planes of theL-shaped portions and points toward the other L-shaped portion. Thecorresponding leg of the other L-shaped portion which. if extended.would contact the alignment pin is shorter than the leg connected to thealignment pin by an amount slightly greater than the distance from ahole for receiving the alignment pin and the edge of the materials to bejoined. The clamp may be fabricated from a variety of materials as itneeds to have only slightly elastic qualities. such as that of coldrolled steel. The clamp is utilized by inserting the straight pinningportion through the alignment holes in the parts to be joined, and thenpivoting the clamp about the pin portion and pressing it onto the edgesof the materials to be joined so that the L-shaped portions tightlyembrace the materials. Of course. the clamp structure can be configuredfor either a clockwise or counterclockwise pivotal motion as applicationthereof dictates.

The clamp structure may be provided with a nonmarring coating. such asnylon. in order to prevent scratching.

The clamp structure may be provided with additional gripping powerthrough the provision of serrations such as those found on paper clips,or by the application of a coating cement thereon such as is customaryfor cement coated nails.

Additional gripping power along with the nonmarring feature may beprovided through a combination of the two last-mentioned features sothat. for example, in fastening appliances to the wooden frame forshipping the portion of the clamp structure which contacts the appliancemay be provided with a nonmarring coating while the portion of the clampstructure which contacts the wooden frame is provided with serrations ora cement coating.

Threaded extensions may also be provided on the clamp to facilitate theaddition ofa threaded extension as an assembly line option or for dealeruse in installing appliance accessories.

The clamp structure may also be made into a captive clamp by theaddition of a speed nut so that with the use of a slot instead of a holein the detachable portion of an assembly, disassembly, or partialdisassembly. may be accomplished without the danger of dropping orlosing the clamps.

According to a particularly useful embodiment of the invention. theformed rod clamp structure is configured to receive curved surfaces andcooperates with a simple saddle structure to join pipes. rods or thelike. Pipe rack systems may thus be quickly and inexpensivelyconstructed to support scaffolding or storage shelves, provide supportfor concrete floor sections during curing, or assemble pipe fences andladders. This feature is also quite advantageous in extraterrestrialwork for the assembly of space platforms and stations in free space. onthe moon. or on other planets and is highly practical for this purposesince no tools are required.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, itsorganization, construction and operation will best be understood fromthe following detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereoftaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a clamp structure constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention and shownclamping layers together;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIG.1 showing the provision of serrations for additional gripping power;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the clamp illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 taken generally along the line lV-IV of FIG. 2',

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a pair of pipes joined at right angles witha clamp structure and saddle combination according to the principles ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an clevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 to betterillustrate the relationship between the clamp structure and the joinedpipes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, 21 joined assembly 10 is illustrated asutilizing the novel clamp structure 12 of the present invention to clamptogether layers of mate rial II. The clamp structure 12 comprises analignment pin 13 which extends through a bore 14 in each of the layers11 as a means for indexing and aligning the layers ll. As will beappreciated from the discussion below. the alignment pin 13 also servesas a pivot in the bore 14 for effecting the clamping operation.

Extending at a substantially right angle and along the lowermost surfaceof the bottom layer 11 is an L- shaped clamp member comprising a portion15 connected to the alignment pin 13 and a portion 16 connected to andextending at right angles to the portion 15. A clamp portion 17 abutsthe outer edges of the lay ers 11 and extends from the portion 16 toanother L- shaped section having portions 18 and 19 which are generallyparallel to the portions 16, 15 respectively, and which embrace theupper surface of the uppermost layer 11.

During assembly. the layers 11 are disposed adjacent one another withtheir bores 14 aligned to receive the alignment pin 13. The alignmentpin 13 is then inserted fully through the bores 14 and the clampstructure is pivoted about the pin 13 in the direction indicated by thesolid arrow in FIG. 2. For disassembly, the reverse operation takesplace wherein the clamp structure is pivoted about the pin 13 asindicated by the broken arrow in FIG. 2, the pin 13 is withdrawn fromthe bores 14 and the layers 11 are then separated.

The clamp structure may include means for adapting the clamp structurefor additional use once the struc ture has been pivoted to its operableposition. In FIG. I. this means is illustrated by the provision of anextended threaded portion 20. A spline or notched configuration may alsobe advantageously employed for this purpose and the showing of a threadin the drawing is for purpose of illustration only.

Referring to FIG. 3, means are provided for increasing the grippingpower of the clamp structure through the provision of serrations 21which are formed at least on some of the surfaces which face the layers11, such as illustrated for the portions 16 and 18 in FIG. 3. It is tobe understood. however, that the serrations may also be provided on thecorresponding surfaces of the portions 15 and 19.

FIG. 4 illustrates the provision of an additional layer of material 22about the clamp structure. This additional layer 22 may be in the formof a cement to improve the friction or gripping power of the clamp, orit may be a non-marring material, such as nylon, to prevent scratchingof the facing surfaces of the layers 11. As previously indicated, anycombination of serrations, cement layer, or non-marring layer may beadvantageously utilized for a combination of increased gripping powerand scratch prevention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment of the invention isillustrated wherein pipes may be joined to one another as in theassembly of childrens playground equipment. In this illustrativeembodiment, a pipe 31 is joined to a pipe 32 by means of a clampstructure 33 and a saddle 34. The clamp structure 33 includes analignment pin 40 which extends through respective bores 35, 36 of thepipes 31, 32.

Disposed between the pipes 31, 32 is a saddle 34 which includes a bore37 for receiving the alignment pin 40 and a pair of surfaces 38, 39which are shaped to conform to the surfaces of the pipes 31, 32,respectively. It should be noted that the joined structures are notnecessarily pipes, but may be solid rod type structures or evenstructures having irregular surfaces so long as the surfaces 38, 39 ofthe saddle conform thereto. The saddle 34 makes contact with about onehalf of each pipe, but still allows the pipes to contact or nearlycontact each other. This produces a remarkably firm yet simple joint. Inorder to avoid the use of an additional part to handle during assembly,the saddle 34 can be bonded, i.e., precemented or soldered, to one ofthe pipes.

The clamp 33 includes, in addition to the pin 41, a loop portion 42which extends over one of the pipes 31 and a portion 44 which extendsabout and embraces the other of the pipes 32, and an intermediateportion 43 which joins the portions 42 and 44.

During assembly, the pipes 31, 32 are seated in the saddle 34 and thebores 35, 36, 37 are aligned to receive the alignment pin 40. Thealignment pin 40 is then inserted and the clamp structure is pivoted sothat the portions 42 and 44 embrace and clamp the pipes 31, 32.

The foregoing has described clamp structures which can be fabricated inmass for sale or fabricated in accordance with a manufacturer'sparticular specifications, in house and under his control, utilizingsimple bending jigs. The invention in its simpler forms, replaces boltswhich require heating and threading, nuts which require forming andthreading and washers which require punching with the attendant waste ofmaterial. Bolts, nuts and washers must be purchased and stocked in sizesfor anticipated or planned use; the clamp structure of the presentinvention requires only that wire be stocked. Inasmuch as the clampstructure of the present invention can be produced on very sim pleequipment from wire stock, and the clamped assembly can be producedwithout tools, the invention lends itself to products produced in lessindustrialized areas and/or by workers having no technical skill. Thissame feature, as mentioned above, also makes the invention attractivefor extraterrestrial applications.

Although I have described my invention by reference to specificillustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications mayreadily become apparent to those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. I therefore intend toinclude within the patent warranted hereon all such changes andmodifications as may reasonably and properly be included within thescope of my contribution to the art.

I claim:

1. Clamp apparatus for clamping together objects having alignment holesspaced from an edge of each object, comprising a wire structureincluding a pin portion for insertion through the alignment holes. firstand second object gripping sections spaced apart a distanceapproximately equal to the thickness of the objects and being disposedin parallel relation to one another and also to the edges of the objectsbeing joined, and a third section connecting said first and secondsections and acting as a stop as said wire is pivoted about said pinportion so that said first and second sections frictionally embrace saidobjects and said third section abuts at least one of said objects.

2. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said first andsecond sections are L-shaped and lie in spaced planes.

3. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a non-marringcoating on at least one portion of said first section to preventdefacing of the object contacted thereby.

4. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a cement coating onat least a portion of said first section to increase the gripping powerof said clamp means.

5. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at lea least a portionof said first section comprises serrations for increasing the grippingpower of said clamp means.

6. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pin portionincludes means for attaching at least one other object thereto.

7. Clamp apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means forattaching includes a threaded end of said pin portion.

8. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a non'marringcoating on said first section to prevent defacing of the objectcontacted thereby, and means on said second section for increasing thegripping power of said clamp apparatus.

9. Clamp apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the last-mentionedmeans comprises a cement coating.

10. Clamp apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the last-mentionedmeans comprises serrations.

ll. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first section isconnected to said pin portion and said second section is spaced fromsaid pin portion by a distance at least as great as the distance betweenan alignment hole and the edge of the corresponding object to provideclearance for insertion of said pin portion.

12. Clamp apparatus for clamping together objects each having a curvedsurface and an alignment hole therethrough, comprising: a saddlestructure including a pair of surfaces for receiving respective objectsand shaped in conformity with the surfaces of the respective objects,and means defining an alignment hole in said saddle; and a wirestructure including a pin portion for insertion through the holes insaid saddle and the objects to be joined, first and second objectgripping section spaced apart a distance approximately equal to thedistance through the objects when disposed in said saddle, and a thirdsection for abutting the outside of the objects to be clamped connectingsaid first and second sections, said third section acting as a stop whensaid wire structure is pivoted about said pin portion the pin portionand the third section being disposed in parallel relation, the firstobject gripping section being generally U-shaped and joining theparallel pin portion and third section. the third section having theU-shaped first object gripping section at one end and the second sectionbeing disposed at an effective angle of at its opposite end whereby uponinsertion of the pin portion through the objects and upon rotation ofthe wire structure. the second section will move under one of theobjects to effectively clamp same together.

13. Clamp apparatus according to claim 12. wherein said shaped surfacesof said saddle structure are shaped and disposed relative each other todefine the angular disposition of the joined objects.

14. Clamp apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said shaped surfacesof said saddle structure are shaped and disposed relative each other todefine a 90 angular relationship between the joined objects.

15. A clamped joint comprising:

a pair of objects to be joined each having a hole therethrough spacedfrom a defining surface of the object; and

means for releasably securing said objects including a formed wirestructure comprising a pin section for extending through said holes andto form a pivot,

21 pair of spaced connected sections connected to said pin section andspaced apart a distance approximately the combined thickness of saidobjects and being disposed in parallel relation to one another and alsoto the edges of the objects being joined. said pair of spaced connectedsections connected to said pin section and pivotal therewith tofrictionally embrace said objects.

16. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 15, wherein said pair ofspaced sections lie in planes perpendicular to said pin section. one ofsaid pair of sections is connected to said pin section and the other ofsaid sections is connected to said pin section via said one section andspaced from said pin section to permit clearance for insertion of saidpin section through said holes.

17. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 15, wherein said objects havecircular cross sections and said joint comprises a saddle including apair of shaped surfaces for at least partially embracing respective onesof said objects and a hole for receiving said pin section.

18. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 15, wherein each of said pairof sections is L-shaped.

19. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 15, wherein at least one ofsaid pair of sections includes means for preventing marring of theobject contacted thereby.

20. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 15, wherein at least one ofsaid pair of sections includes means for increasing the grip of saidformed wire structure.

21. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 20, wherein the last-mentionedmeans includes a cement coating on said one section.

22. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 20. wherein the last-mentionedmeans includes serrations on said one section.

23. Clamp apparatus for clamping together objects having alignment holesspaced from an edge of each object, comprising a wire structureincluding a pin porthird section connecting said first and secondsections and acting as a stop as said wire is pivoted about said pinportion so that said first and second sections frictionally embrace saidobjects and said third section abuts at least one of said objects.

1. Clamp apparatus for clamping together objects having alignment holesspaced from an edge of each object, comprising a wire structureincluding a pin portion for insertion through the alignment holes, firstand second object gripping sections spaced apart a distanceapproximately equal to the thickness of the objects and being disposedin parallel relation to one another and also to the edges of the objectsbeing joined, and a third section connecting said first and secondsections and acting as a stop as said wire is pivoted about said pinportion so that said first and second sections frictionally embrace saidobjects and said third section abuts at least one of said objects. 2.Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said first andsecond sections are L-shaped and lie in spaced planes.
 3. Clampapparatus according to claim 1, comprising a non-marring coating on atleast one portion of said first section to prevent defacing of theobject contacted thereby.
 4. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1,comprising a cement coating on at least a portion of said first sectionto increase the gripping power of said clamp means.
 5. Clamp apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein at lea least a portion of said firstsection comprises serrations for increasing the gripping power of saidclamp means.
 6. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pinportion includes means for attaching at least one other object thereto.7. Clamp apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means forattaching includes a threaded end of said pin portion.
 8. Clampapparatus according to claim 1, comprising a non-marring coating on saidfirst section to prevent defacing of the object contacted thereby, andmeans on said second section for increasing the gripping power of saidclamp apparatus.
 9. Clamp apparatus according to claim 8, wherein thelast-mentioned means comprises a cement coating.
 10. Clamp apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the last-mentioned means comprisesserrations.
 11. Clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said firstsection is connected to said pin portion and said second section isspaced from said pin portion by a distance at least as great as thedistance between an alignment hole and the edge of the correspondingobject to provide clearance for insertion of said pin portion.
 12. Clampapparatus for clamping together objects each having a curved surface andan alignment hole therethrough, comprising: a saddle structure includinga pair of surfaces for receiving respective objects and shaped inconformity with the surfaces of the respective objects, and meansdefining an alignment hole in said saddle; and a wire structureincluding a pin portion for insertion through the holes in said saddleand the objects to be joined, first and second object gripping sectionspaced apart a distance approximately equal to the distance through theobjects when disposed in said saddle, and a third section for abuttingthe outside of the objects to be clamped connecting said first andsecond sections, said third section acting as a stop when said wirestructure is pivoted about said pin portion the pin portion and thethird section being disposed in parallel relation, the first objectgripping section being generally U-shaped and joining the parallel pinportion and third section, the third section having the U-shaped firstobject gripping section at one end and the second section being disposedat an effective angle of 90.degree. at its opposite end whereby uponinsertion of the pin portion through the objects and upon rotation ofthe wire structure, the second section will move under one of theobjects to effectively clamp same together.
 13. Clamp apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein said shaped surfaces of said saddlestructure are shaped and disposed relative each other to define theangular disposition of the joined objects.
 14. Clamp apparatus accordingto claim 12, wherein said shaped surfaces of said saddle structure areshaped and disposed relative each other to define a 90.degree. angularrelationship between the joined objects.
 15. A clamped joint comprising:a pair of objects to be joined each having a hole therethrough spacedfrom a defining surface of the object; and means for releasably securingsaid objects including a formed wire structure comprising a pin sectionfor extending through said holes and to form a pivot, a pair of spacedconnected sections connected to said pin section and spaced apart adistance approximately the combined thickness of said objects and beingdisposed in parallel relation to one another and also to the edges ofthe objects being joined, said pair of spaced connected sectionsconnected to said pin section and pivotal therewith to frictionallyembrace said objects.
 16. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 15,wherein said pair of spaced sections lie in planes perpendicular to saidpin section, one of said pair of sections is connected to said pinsection and the other of said sections is connected to said pin sectionvia said one section and spaced from said pin section to permitclearance for insertion of said pin section through said holes.
 17. Aclamped joint as set forth in claim 15, wherein said objects havecircular cross sections and said joint comprises a saddle including apair of shaped surfaces for at least partially embracing respective onesof said objects and a hole for receiving said pin section.
 18. A clampedjoint as set forth in claim 15, wherein each of said pair of sections isL-shaped.
 19. A clamped joint as set forth in claim 15, wherein at leastone of said pair of sections includes means for preventing marring ofthe object contacted thereby.
 20. A clamped joint as set forth in claim15, wherein at least one of said pair of sections includes means forincreasing the grip of said formed wire structure.
 21. A clamped jointas set forth in claim 20, wherein the last-mentioned means includes acement coating on said one section.
 22. A clamped joint as set forth inclaim 20, wherein the last-mentioned means includes serrations on saidone section.
 23. Clamp apparatus for clamping together objects havingalignment holes spaced from an edge of each object, comprising a wirestructure including a pin portion for insertion through the alignmentholes, first and second object gripping sections spaced apart a distanceapproximately equal to the thickness of the objects and being disposedin parallel relation to one another and with the pin portion and thestop being disposed in parallel relation generally at right angles tothe planes of the first and second object gripping sections, and a thirdsection connecting said first and second sections and acting as a stopas said wire is pivoted about said pin portion so that said first andsecond sections frictionally embrace said objects and said third sectionabuts at least one of said objects.